UniFi In‑Wall HD Access Point, 802.11ac Wave 2, 4‑Port Gigabit Switch, UAP‑IW‑HD

Introduction: What the UniFi In‑Wall HD (UAP‑IW‑HD) is and its key features

The Ubiquiti UniFi In‑Wall HD (UAP‑IW‑HD) is a purpose‑built in‑wall wireless access point that brings Wave 2 (802.11ac) performance and a small gigabit switch into a single standard 1‑gang electrical box. Designed primarily for hospitality, student housing and other single‑room or in‑wall deployments, the In‑Wall HD combines a 4×4 MU‑MIMO 5 GHz radio and a 2×2 2.4 GHz radio with an integrated 4‑port Gigabit switch plus a Gigabit uplink. It supports wired devices in the room while providing robust wireless coverage tailored to high‑density scenarios.

Key highlightsinclude Wave 2 dual‑band Wi‑Fi with combined PHY throughput of approximately 2.03 Gbps, integrated 4×Gigabit switched ports (one with PoE passthrough support), PoE power (802.3af supported; 802.3at recommended for full passthrough), and full management through the UniFi Controller ecosystem for VLANs, guest networks and enterprise features.

The UAP‑IW‑HD’s specifications reflect its target use: delivering both wired and wireless connectivity from a single, flush in‑wall installation. Below are the technical details and the benefits they bring to real deployments.

• Model:UAP‑IW‑HD — a compact in‑wall form factor that fits a standard 1‑gang electrical box and includes mounting hardware and security screws.
• Wi‑Fi standard and radios:802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (Wave 2). It uses a 4×4 MU‑MIMO radio on 5 GHz and a 2×2 radio on 2.4 GHz. Benefit: better multi‑client performance on 5 GHz, and improved spectrum efficiency in dense rooms.
• Aggregate throughput:≈2.03 Gbps combined PHY (≈1733 Mbps on 5 GHz + ≈300 Mbps on 2.4 GHz). Benefit: handles multiple high‑bandwidth clients (streaming, conferencing, file sync) without immediately hitting the wireless ceiling.
• Integrated switching:4 × 10/100/1000 RJ‑45 switched ports + 1 × Gigabit uplink. One switched port supports 48V PoE passthrough (PoE+ required for full passthrough). Benefit: reduces cabling and offers local wired ports for set‑top boxes, IP phones, smart TVs or guest wired connections.
• PoE requirements:Supports 802.3af input; 802.3at (PoE+) recommended when using PoE passthrough to downstream devices. Power input: 44–57 VDC. Benefit: flexible powering from common PoE switches or injectors; passthrough adds convenience for powered devices in the room.
• Power consumption:Typical 11 W base; up to around 23 W when PoE passthrough is active. Benefit: modest energy footprint for continuous operation; plan for higher draw when powering additional devices from passthrough.
• Supported clients:Designed for 200+ concurrent clients — a high‑density design for environments where many devices connect at once.
• Security & management:WEP, WPA‑PSK, WPA/WPA2 Enterprise, 802.11w/PMF, VLAN and guest isolation supported via the UniFi Controller (desktop and mobile). Benefit: enterprise‑grade access control, segmentation and visibility with centralized management.
• Physical:Dimensions 139.7 × 86.7 × 25.75 mm; weight 210 g; operating −10 to 60 °C. Fits a standard 1‑gang electrical box for tidy, in‑room installation.

Taken together, these specifications make the UAP‑IW‑HD a compact but powerful option where you want to deliver both gigabit wired ports and high‑throughput wireless from a single wall plate location.

• Space‑efficient:Consolidates network and Wi‑Fi ports into the wall, removing the need for visible access points or additional patch panels in each room.
• High‑density handling:Wave 2 MU‑MIMO improves simultaneous client performance on 5 GHz—useful for rooms with multiple streaming devices or many personal devices.
• Operational simplicity:Managed through the UniFi Controller for batch provisioning, firmware updates, guest portals and VLAN tagging—saving time in large deployments.
• Cost and cabling savings:Integrated switch means fewer separate wall jacks and less cabling to maintain.

The In‑Wall HD is optimized for single‑room or per‑room deployments where both wired and wireless connectivity are required. Typical scenarios include:

• Hotel rooms and hospitality:Place one UAP‑IW‑HD in every guest room to provide wall‑mounted wired ports (for set‑top boxes, VoIP phones or wired guest connections) while delivering full‑band Wi‑Fi for guests. Centralized UniFi management helps standardize SSIDs, guest portals and traffic shaping across the property.
• Student accommodation and dormitories:High density of personal devices and heavy downstream usage (video streaming, gaming, cloud sync) can be handled by the Wave 2 radio and the integrated switch for wired consoles or desktop PCs.
• Serviced apartments and B&Bs:Clean, discreet installations without ceiling‑mounted APs. The in‑wall design preserves the room’s aesthetics while delivering enterprise features under the hood.
• Small office suites and meeting rooms:Provide wired connectivity for presentations or conference room AV gear and robust Wi‑Fi for participants, all managed centrally.

When evaluating the UAP‑IW‑HD, it helps to compare relative strengths and tradeoffs with other options:

• Versus older in‑wall models (e.g., early UniFi in‑wall APs):The In‑Wall HD’s Wave 2 4×4 5 GHz radio delivers significantly better multi‑client performance compared with older 2×2 designs. The integrated switching capability and higher aggregate PHY throughput are clear upgrades for modern guest expectations.
• Versus ceiling/desktop APs (UAP‑AC‑HD / UAP‑Flex HD):Ceiling APs may provide broader area coverage and higher antenna performance for open spaces. The In‑Wall HD trades that broader coverage for a room‑centric, discreet installation and the convenience of built‑in wired ports—making it a better fit for per‑room deployments where coverage area is intentionally contained.
• Versus Wi‑Fi 6 (802.11ax) devices:Wi‑Fi 6 APs offer benefits in efficiency, capacity and future‑proofing, especially in extremely dense environments. However, the In‑Wall HD remains a compelling Wi‑Fi 5 Wave 2 choice where cost, existing device compatibility and in‑wall port integration are priorities. For new builds targeting the longest possible future life, consider Wi‑Fi 6 in‑wall options if budget permits.
• Versus competitor in‑wall APs:Many competitors offer in‑wall APs with integrated switches, but the UniFi ecosystem’s management and feature set (guest portals, VLANs, centralized monitoring) are strong selling points for multi‑site or multi‑room management. Evaluate based on management preference, warranty and local support.

While individual experiences vary by environment, the following anonymized comments reflect common feedback from deployments of the In‑Wall HD:

Hotel IT manager:“Installing one In‑Wall HD per room simplified wiring and reduced ceiling clutter. Guests appreciate the stable streaming, and the UniFi Controller makes it easy to push updates to the fleet.”

Student housing provider:“We saw noticeably fewer complaints about Wi‑Fi dead spots after swapping older wall plates for the In‑Wall HD. The integrated switch is handy for wired gaming consoles in common‑room units.”

Systems integrator / installer:“Mounting into a 1‑gang box keeps rooms tidy and secure. Just remember to plan for PoE+ if you need to power downstream devices—regular 802.3af won’t always be enough for passthrough.”

Constructive notes from deployments often point out power planning and channel planning: ensure the PoE source can supply the necessary wattage if you intend to use PoE passthrough, and use UniFi RF tools to avoid Co‑channel interference when many rooms are deployed side‑by‑side.

• Mounting:Installs into a standard 1‑gang electrical box and includes mounting hardware and security screws. For in‑wall electrical work, consult a qualified electrician and follow regional regulations.
• Powering:The device accepts 802.3af PoE, but 802.3at (PoE+) is recommended if you plan to use the PoE passthrough to another device. Typical power draw is about 11 W at base and up to ~23 W with passthrough active—verify PoE budget on your switch or injector.
• Management:Requires the UniFi Controller / UniFi Network application to unlock the full feature set—adoption, provisioning, VLANs, guest portal, analytics, and firmware management are all done through UniFi.
• Regulatory & firmware settings:Check regional regulatory settings and included certifications on the shipped product; firmware region settings can affect transmit power and channel availability.

The UniFi In‑Wall HD (UAP‑IW‑HD) is a thoughtfully engineered in‑wall access point that combines Wave 2 performance with practical wired ports for per‑room connectivity. Its strengths are clear in hospitality, student housing and similar high‑density single‑room deployments: compact, tidy installations; strong 5 GHz multi‑client performance via 4×4 MU‑MIMO; integrated gigabit switching; and enterprise features through the UniFi Controller. Price and lifecycle considerations matter—while Wi‑Fi 6 is becoming mainstream, the In‑Wall HD often represents a balanced choice between cost, capability and simplicity for many existing and retrofit projects.

Priced competitively relative to its capabilities (suggested street price approximately $242.21), and with straightforward installation into a 1‑gang box, the UAP‑IW‑HD is a practical option when you need dependable room‑level Wi‑Fi plus wired ports without the visual impact of ceiling or desktop APs. If your deployment requires the absolute latest Wi‑Fi 6 features, evaluate Wi‑Fi 6 in‑wall alternatives; otherwise, for many operators the UAP‑IW‑HD remains a highly effective and cost‑efficient solution.

Note:Check your local supplier for current pricing, regional certifications and warranty terms. Plan PoE provisioning (802.3af vs 802.3at) according to whether you will use PoE passthrough to downstream devices.